Sewing space?
#21
I also have a smallish sewing space and was very close to building my own sewing armoire. There are many ideas for this online. Many of them reuse old TV cabinets or computer desks. Just as I was starting the construction of the armoire, I found an older Horn cabinet for sale for $25, so I bought that and repainted it instead. Here are some of the ideas I came across online:
http://www.remodelicious.com/diy-sew...xtraordinaire/
http://kennethwingard.com/home-famil...craft-armoire/
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/38/77...4c887a23b6.jpg
http://www.remodelicious.com/diy-sew...xtraordinaire/
http://kennethwingard.com/home-famil...craft-armoire/
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/38/77...4c887a23b6.jpg
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
For years (way too many), I had to use whatever tiny spaces I could find. It seemed we kept taking in more and more kids and they really take up space!!! The only cutting table, quilt assembly spot I had was the bed. I got 2 pieces of cheap paneling and slid them under to bed for storage. When needed, they were easy to take out, put on top of the bed and make a fairly sturdy but definitely safer place for my cutting board. I also had 2 rollaway storage bins that I kept under the bed for supplies. This kept the stuff close but out of the way from curious little fingers. I put plastic storage bins for fabric in my closet with my shorter clothes hanging above them. This way I could see what was in the bins and only pull out the ones I needed. It also kept me from adding too many more clothes (fabric storage was more important!). One wall in my bedroom had pegboard and I had wooden thread caddies on it with clear plastic piece over the top to keep them clean and rulers attached to the pegboard. Much easier to close the bedroom door than to put stuff away when company came by! I have always found that we use what we have and fill up anything we get!!!!
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 7,312
I just googled " how to organize a small sewing space" and there are some great ideas, especially this closet one, Wow!
http://livefreecreative.co/2012/08/a-closet-seamstress/
http://livefreecreative.co/2012/08/a-closet-seamstress/
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,097
Honestly, once the kids moved out, I thought I would be in one of their bedrooms, both of which are fairly small. But DH wanted one for all of his video games and the other has stayed a guest room. That's fine. I took over the family room. DH goes in the living room in the evening and watches sports, sci-fi or scary movies - none of which I want to see. I stay in what is now my sewing room. It has a tv, computer and all of my rather messy stuff.
I wish there were someplace I could close it off, so the mess wasn't so visible, but guess I've gotten old enough that I don't care much any more. It's not dirty, just cluttered! But it's cluttered with the things I love, so I am happy.
I wish there were someplace I could close it off, so the mess wasn't so visible, but guess I've gotten old enough that I don't care much any more. It's not dirty, just cluttered! But it's cluttered with the things I love, so I am happy.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
I would suggest that for organizing your fabrics it might help to either staple bits onto 3X5 cards and write down how much and where you're putting it (bin number or some such) or take pictures and keep them digitally organized in a folder on your computer. For a time my sewing table was in a 6' wide closet. A peg board right over my machine was a big help for a lot of smaller tools, rulers and such and on my right a magnetic strip (sold for kitchen knives) was a good place for scissors and other things that were metal. Less used stuff stayed in overhead shelves, but not all of that was for sewing. Thread can be kept on something as simple as a board with nails tapped in at an angle so you can hang it on a wall. I had plastic drawers for fabric next to my machine. I have more room now, but the closet arrangement I used to have tended to stay neater from necessity, and the best part about it was I could close the door and it was all out of sight.
If you have room for something like a large upright TV cabinet, a lot of people are abandoning them since flat screens came along, and you can find them cheap at resale shops. You can put bins where the TV used to be, and there are usually cubbies or drawers that can hold other things. A silverware divider will hold a lot of sewing stuff neatly and accessibly, and might it tuck into the space where a VCR used to be.
If you have room for something like a large upright TV cabinet, a lot of people are abandoning them since flat screens came along, and you can find them cheap at resale shops. You can put bins where the TV used to be, and there are usually cubbies or drawers that can hold other things. A silverware divider will hold a lot of sewing stuff neatly and accessibly, and might it tuck into the space where a VCR used to be.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ashtabula County, Ohio NE Corner
Posts: 377
I’m sharing my sewing space with a guest bed. Not ideal, but to store my stash we bought a bed frame (doesn’t need a box spring) that has 17” clearance. We bought totes that slide underneath the bed. I put felt runners on each tote so when I slide them under my bed it doesn’t scratch the bamboo flooring. I have 8 totes stored under there! I wouldn’t have agreed to buy this house if I would’ve had to give up my stash. Now I’m just waiting for my husband to build me a Murphy bed. Use to have one in my sewing room in a different house. Perfect solution!
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ashtabula County, Ohio NE Corner
Posts: 377
I keep my projects in those Gallon Zip Bags too,,, or you can use larger ones ( I found some at Dollar Tree) and Everything like patterns Fat Quarter fabric, buttons, and other Supplies in Clear totes... and if they are the colored ones I write on the End of the lid with Marker with what is inside EX: Fall Fabrics, or Solids, or Children's Patterns. etc.. I have seen a idea for a Small Padded piece of 3/4 inch plywood to use for an ironing Board. Or if all the Totes are the Same height. you can add this right on top of 2 stacks to use as a Table...
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
Good idea for screens to divide space....also at thrift shops there are usually some awesome 'Enrertainment centers' going for practiceally nothing - saw somewhere where one of these had been repurposed into a sewing center by putting in a drop pull-out table for sm, and the doors close when not in use and are a lovely piece of furniture. I don't need that now, but I have filed the idea in my brain for the future....
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,472
I live in a 5th wheel camper & I quilt in the livingroom. My sewing machine stays up in front of my recliner, tools are in a mug to the right of the sewing machine & other tools are hung on S-hook from the curtain rod beside my recliner. My fabric stash is in tubs in my closet, in a shed outside & in rolling bins. All are full at this point in time. Behind my chair is a bookshelf with my sewing box & my quilting library.
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